Hearing new ideas about Plaza Building

At its monthly noon meeting, the Urban Renewal Authority Board heard an interesting business proposal now under development by Lorraine Melgosa concerning the Plaza Building.

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LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

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Posted May. 10, 2013 at 3:00 PM

Posted May. 10, 2013 at 3:00 PM

At its monthly noon meeting, the Urban Renewal Authority Board heard an interesting business proposal now under development by Lorraine Melgosa concerning the Plaza Building. Lynn Horner, Rebecca Goodwin, Sandra Leonard, and Ron Davis spoke favorably for hearing out the business proposal once it is fully developed. Assistant City Manager Bill Jackson assured the group there is plenty of time to consider such a proposal, in that time is required for environmental surveys which must be considered before proceeding with the demolition.

Mack Burtis and Mayor Don Rizzuto spoke to a point of order and brought up that the City Council must be consulted before any change to the Department of Local Affairs grant is considered, since the grant is through the authority of the City Council. Ron Davis spoke of the positive economic gains which would be realized if Melgosa's idea turns out to be practical. He said he is not apologetic about the Plaza Building, because it was "a steal" at $23,000 and went with two large lots.

The dilemma of Joey Johnson in buying new digital projection equipment for the Fox Theater was discussed. Ed Stafford, member of the Board of the Grand Theater, described for the board how the conversion of the Grand Theater was accomplished mainly through the efforts of volunteers, the equipment turning out to cost in the neighborhood of $80,000 instead of $150,000 as had been originally estimated.

Although the Fox is privately owned, Mayor Don Rizzuto thought the formation of a Friends of the Fox Theater would be a viable idea and could raise money to help out rather quickly. An effort will be made to study grant possibilities, also. The board believes in Johnson and has okayed $80,000 for the elevator in the Club Galaxy building already, but that was accomplished through the Americans with Disabilities Act funding. The matter was to be further discussed at Community Conversations on Thursday evening at The Barista.

Rick Klein spoke briefly about National Train Day, scheduled for Saturday. Many local events will happen early, including the boarding of the train for Las Vegas (around 8:30 a.m.), featuring Ed and Clara Lee Stafford in period costumes. Klein will speak between 10 and 11 a.m. and the event has been extended by the railroad until 4 p.m. Klein is optimistic about the continuation of the Kansas-Colorado-Northern New Mexico route for the Amtrak. Garden City passed the funding of the lobbying efforts, along with La Junta, at $20,000, and the railroad appears to be more sympathetic than formerly. The backers will approach the Colorado Department of Transportation for their help, also, said Klein.